[LMStone510]

My 2013 is creeping up towards 50K miles, and the stock brake pads will be too thin for comfort later this Fall, and the rotors are clearly getting worn, so I'm thinking about brake replacements.

The car is a daily, no track use, so I don't need big brakes.

Honestly, the only "upgrade" I'm planning on is using the Carbotech 1521 Bobcat pads for better modulation versus stock/Hawk/Ferodo/etc. For me, the stock rotors have been fine and they are dirt cheap too.

Typically I like to replace the retaining springs when I do pad/rotor replacements, and those are about $12 each. But then I noticed that replacement brand new factory calipers are under $200 for all four corners, so why shouldn't I? I wouldn't have to worry about finding torn dust boots, cranking the rear pistons back in (and tearing a dust boot in the process), nor screwing up the ABS by over-compressing the front calipers. Just replace 'em, bleed 'em and top off with fresh brake fluid and be done.

Any arguments for/against doing this?

TIA,
Mark

 

[sullyman86]

I changed my pads out at 42k miles. I have never tracked mine but I do daily it. All of my dust boots were perfect and the tool from harbor freight made it easy to crank in the rear calipers. I personally see no reason to spend the extra 200 on the calipers. The rotors are up to you. I did not change mine out and even after two bed in procedures, my brakes feel weak with the ceramic pads. It is because of this that I would change my rotors out if I did it all over. I also have not changed the fluid, but I think I should soon.
Fyi: a lot of pads come with new retaining springs. Both of my stop tech pad sets came with them

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[sullyman86]

If you save the $200, than a big turbo kit goes from $2000 to $1800 lol

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[grindMARC]

I replaced my fronts after I burned off the dust boots (track) and one of them froze. If your boots are in good shape, there's really no reason to replace them at 50k.

BTW, I think your pricing high. Check out Bear Lake Autonation PARTS.

 

[ChrisL]

Have you tried the Bobcats before? I had them on my STi for a few months and did not like them. Pedal feel and braking were inconsistent. The final straw was that they glazed over during an autocross session. Never did like them before they glazed, though. If you're intent on them hopefully they do better for you.

 

[LMStone510]

Have you tried the Bobcats before? I had them on my STi for a few months and did not like them. Pedal feel and braking were inconsistent. The final straw was that they glazed over during an autocross session. Never did like them before they glazed, though. If you're intent on them hopefully they do better for you.

Interesting; thanks! I have not run the Bobcats before but have been itching to try them. I don't like the high initial bite on the stock pads, though I've gotten used to it some.

When you installed your Bobcats did you use new rotors? Carbotech seems to make a big deal about that, and their bed-in procedure too...

Mark

 

[ChrisL]

Interesting; thanks! I have not run the Bobcats before but have been itching to try them. I don't like the high initial bite on the stock pads, though I've gotten used to it some.

When you installed your Bobcats did you use new rotors? Carbotech seems to make a big deal about that, and their bed-in procedure too...

Mark

I had the rotors turned prior to placing the pads. If the '15+ model year pads fit on your calipers give them a try. I drove several cars with the old pads and the initial bite was too much. They changed the pad for the 15's and that high bite is gone. Just another option and probably lower cost than the Bobcats.

 

[LMStone510]

I had the rotors turned prior to placing the pads. If the '15+ model year pads fit on your calipers give them a try. I drove several cars with the old pads and the initial bite was too much. They changed the pad for the 15's and that high bite is gone. Just another option and probably lower cost than the Bobcats.

The 2013 have the 12.6" rotors; later on they went to the 13.1" rotors and the lower dusting, different feel pads. Not keen to swap out everything like that, including dust shields.

FWIW when I called Carbotech last year I got whatfor about turning rotors and how it makes it harder/impossible to properly bed in their pads.

The rotors are cheap; and mine are getting worn, so I may just try the Bobcats and see.

Thanks again!
Mark

 

[danmad32]

The 2013 have the 12.6" rotors; later on they went to the 13.1" rotors and the lower dusting, different feel pads. Not keen to swap out everything like that, including dust shields.

FWIW when I called Carbotech last year I got whatfor about turning rotors and how it makes it harder/impossible to properly bed in their pads.

The rotors are cheap; and mine are getting worn, so I may just try the Bobcats and see.

Thanks again!
Mark

Calipers are the same and thus so are the pads shapes, just different compound. I actually have a set of stock pads (front and rear) with the newer compound if you are interested they are in the for sale section. I took them off after <2000 miles and swapped to HPS (street) and DTC60 track and now to Wilwood FNSL6 front calipers.

 

[ChrisL]

There's a good chance that the pads have a new compound since I tried them back in 2005 or 2006. Good luck with them and please post back to this thread with your review. I want a bit more than what the stock pads do so I'm always scouting for good pads for when I make my change.

 

[RoachRage]

I wore out my brakes at all 4 corners at 22K, so I had the rotors turned and got hawk pads. You don't really know how much better the brakes can feel til you switch from the stock pads to Hawk. The initial super sensitivity of the stock pads is gone and the peddle is stiffer. Plus, they are supposed to last longer.

Interesting; thanks! I have not run the Bobcats before but have been itching to try them. I don't like the high initial bite on the stock pads, though I've gotten used to it some.

When you installed your Bobcats did you use new rotors? Carbotech seems to make a big deal about that, and their bed-in procedure too...

Mark

 

[Rich209]

I wore out my brakes at all 4 corners at 22K, so I had the rotors turned and got hawk pads. You don't really know how much better the brakes can feel til you switch from the stock pads to Hawk. The initial super sensitivity of the stock pads is gone and the peddle is stiffer. Plus, they are supposed to last longer.

Not only do the the Hawk HPS pads perform better, but they also produce way less brake dust than the stockers. :RockOn:

 

[712ST2]

I know it's a little different but I just swapped my pads to ebc redstuff and turned my rotors. I just dd my car mostly highway. The initial bite is less than stock but they stop just as good and the main reason why I switched was the dust , way less with the reds. I hated the stock pads, they were still like new when I took them affordable with 36k on them.